Law 47: Do Not Go Past The Mark You Aimed For; In Victory, Learn When To Stop There is wisdom in knowing when to stop. After you have achieved victory, don’t tempt fate. In 559 B.C, Cyrus defeated his grandfather Astyages, king of the Medes. He created the Persian Empire. After that, Cyrus achieved consecutive … Read more

Law 45: Preach the Need for Change, but Never Reform Too Much at Once Change is necessary, but if you want to implement it, in must be gradual. If you change the status quo too quickly, people will revolt. Whether you are a politician or introducing a new product to the market, don’t deviate too … Read more

Law 43: Work on the Hearts and Minds of Others Coercion eventually backfires, you must seduce others into doing what you want. You must pay attention to their emotions, and slowly break down their defenses. If you ignore their hearts and minds, they will grow to hate you. Louis XVI married Marie-Antoinette. The French had grown sick of the mistresses that Louis XV … Read more

Law 42: Strike the Shepherd and the Sheep will Scatter A single individual can be the cause of trouble, this person is the stirrer, the arrogant subordinate, or the poisoner of goodwill. Strike at him to put an end to his poison.  At the end of the sixth century B.C, Athens established a democracy that … Read more

Law 39: Stir Up Waters to Catch Fish A monkey, whilst munching a ripe pear, was pestered by the bare-faced importunities of a wasp, who, nolens volens, would have a part. After threatening the monkey with his anger if he further hesitated to submit to his demand, he settled on the fruit; but was as … Read more

Law 37: Create Compelling Spectacles Grand symbolic gestures can be used as a powerful tool to influence, distract, and project an aura of power. Words are not as powerful, they are dangerous and often misinterpreted. We often reflect on what others say to us, and eventually believe in the opposite of what they say – … Read more

Law 33: Discover Each Man’s Thumbscrew Everyone has a weakness. Usually, it is an insecurity, an irrational need, or an emotion. It can even be a secret pleasure. When it has been discovered, it can be used as an advantage. Most people want to be left alone, to do things their way, so they put … Read more

Law 32: Play to People’s Fantasies Avoid telling people the ugly truth unless you are prepared to face the anger that will result. Life is harsh and distressing. If you can conjure up a fantasy or add romance to people’s lives, people will flock to you. Venice enjoyed a long period of prosperity and its … Read more